Roadtrip Crete Day 2 Roundtrip Koutsounari
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 26-04-2021
Route Summary Motorcycling in Crete is a real pleasure, this island has many beautiful winding roads with thousands of bends, idyllic villages, beautiful views of the sea, bays, beautiful passes and ravines.
The locals are very hospitable. The roads are decent, but it is recommended to rent an All- or Off Road motorcycle, as there are also many bad roads with potholes and unpaved areas.
On the very tourist island there are many hotels, especially along the coast, there are also B&B and a number of campsites. In this tour we will assume camping accommodation.
The routes can be driven by motorcycle, car or quads and there are several rental companies in Crete where you can rent All Road, Custom, Quads, Buggies, scooters and cars. Prices for the rental of a motorcycle for a week are between 280 and 900 euros, depending on the model.
Renting from Eurodriver has the advantage that they can deliver your motorcycle anywhere so you can already get on your motorcycle at the airport and start the journey.
Share this route 
Animation
Verdict
Duration
5h 23m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
198.25 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review We drive from Koutsounari along the coast to Ierapetra, from there we drive further north of the island through the beautiful mountain landscape of Crete. Along the route there are a number of points where you can stop briefly to enjoy the view as at RP2 where you have a nice view of the coastline and the island of Pseira in the Gulf of Mirabello with archaeological remains of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilization.
After this stop, the roads become a lot more twisty and you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The E090 runs between the mountains and along this road you will see beautiful green trees, shrubs and brightly colored flowers. At RP3 there is an opportunity to stop briefly to have a drink.
The next stop is planned at RP4, the gorge “Richtis Gorge” (Greek: Φαράγγι του Ρίχτη, Faraggi tou Richti) with a beautiful waterfall. It is a state-protected park that starts at the traditional village of Exo Mouliana, which is on the national road between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia and ends at the secluded Richtis Beach, just east of the village of Kalavros. The hiking trail is about 4 km long with moderate (spring / summer / autumn) to difficult (winter) difficulty. Especially after a rain shower, the start of the descent is very muddy and treacherous. Waterproof shoes or sandals are highly recommended because the stream leading to the waterfall has to be crossed several times, often inevitably through the water. Along the way, rich vegetation (mainly plane trees, wild berries and local flowers and herbs) and wildlife (mainly local species of butterflies, small reptiles, birds and small mammals) can be seen, as well as ancient stone bridges and watermills it culminates in the Richtis waterfall and beach, making the Richtis Gorge one of the most varied hiking experiences in Crete.
After the Hike through the gorge we continue the drive on the winding back roads to Sitia where you can visit the Archaeological Museum at RP9. The collection consists of finds from the Minoan era from Sitia, Zakros, Petra and Palaikastro.
Sitia is a port city with a beautiful beach (RP10) and boulevard on the East coast. An ideal place for lunch and to catch your breath on the beach with a snack and a drink, or just take a stroll along the boulevard past the restaurants and cafes.
We drive along the bay and through partly arid landscape to our next stop at Toplou Monastery (RP11), one of the most historic monasteries of Crete and known for its huge property. In religious circles it is known as the Monastery of Panagia Akrotiriani, while locals simply call it the Great Monastery. The monastery is reinforced with a 10 meter high wall, which protected it from enemy attacks. It occupies an area of 800 square meters and has three floors, with 40 rooms, a 33-meter high clock tower. Traditionally, it has 100 doors, of which only 99 have been found. In the center of the monastery is a well, which supplied the monks with water during the various sieges by the Turks and the pirates. Opposite the well is a two-aisled basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary and John the Theologian.
This part of the island is known for its beautiful secluded beaches, one of which is Palm Beach Vai with, as the name suggests, its beautiful palm trees. If you want to visit the beach you can drive straight at RP12 and follow the signs to the beach. We turn right here to continue the route. There are still a number of beaches indicated with a POI.
We drive further towards the south coast of Crete on a very beautiful road with many curves, also the necessary sharp hairpin bends, with beautiful panoramas. Along the route there are several viewpoints and small parking spaces to stop briefly for a photo.
At RP22 we enter the nice town of Analipsi, a nice place to stop for a drink and a snack at the beautiful Limanaki Beach.
After this last stop we drive back to the campsite in Koutsounari via a detour through the interior.
This tour is definitely worth 5 ***** Stars because of the beautiful roads, beaches, nature and sights you can visit. The route is just under 200 kilometers and you can choose to deviate from the routes to visit one of the beautiful secluded bays with beaches.
Links 
Usage Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically. 
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
Crete
About this region
Crete (Greek: Κρήτη, Modern: Kríti, Ancient: Krḗtē, [krέːtεː]) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete rests approximately 160 km (99 mi) south of the Greek mainland. It has an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and a coastline of 1,046 km (650 mi). It bounds the southern border of the Aegean Sea, with the Sea of Crete (or North Cretan Sea) to the north and the Libyan Sea (or South Cretan Sea) to the south.
Crete and a number of islands and islets that surround it constitute the Region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), which is the southernmost of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece, and the fifth most populous of Greece's regions. Its capital and largest city is Heraklion, located on the north shore of the island. As of 2020, the region had a population of 636,504. The Dodecanese are located to the northeast of Crete, while the Cyclades are situated to the north, separated by the Sea of Crete. The Peloponnese is to the region's northwest.
Humans have inhabited the island since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. Crete was the centre of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913.
The island is mostly mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east. It includes Crete's highest point, Mount Ida, and the range of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) with 30 summits above 2000 metres in altitude and the Samaria Gorge, a World Biosphere Reserve. Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). The Nikos Kazantzakis airport at Heraklion and the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania serve international travelers. The palace of Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement and ancient Minoan city, is also located in Heraklion.
Read more on Wikipedia
Crete and a number of islands and islets that surround it constitute the Region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), which is the southernmost of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece, and the fifth most populous of Greece's regions. Its capital and largest city is Heraklion, located on the north shore of the island. As of 2020, the region had a population of 636,504. The Dodecanese are located to the northeast of Crete, while the Cyclades are situated to the north, separated by the Sea of Crete. The Peloponnese is to the region's northwest.
Humans have inhabited the island since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. Crete was the centre of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913.
The island is mostly mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east. It includes Crete's highest point, Mount Ida, and the range of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) with 30 summits above 2000 metres in altitude and the Samaria Gorge, a World Biosphere Reserve. Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). The Nikos Kazantzakis airport at Heraklion and the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania serve international travelers. The palace of Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement and ancient Minoan city, is also located in Heraklion.
View region
Statistics 
8Amount of RX reviews (Crete)
6930Amount of visitors (Crete)
310Amount of downloads (Crete)
Route Collections in this region Eight beautiful routes in Crete Greece
This is a collection of 8 routes for an 8-day tour on the Greek island of Crete.
Motorcycling in Crete is a real pleasure, this island has many beautiful winding roads with thousands of bends, idyllic villages, beautiful views of the sea, bays, beautiful passes and ravines.
The locals are very hospitable. The roads are decent, but it is advisable to rent an All or Off Road motorcycle, as there are also many bad roads with potholes and unpaved areas.
On the very tourist island there are many hotels, especially along the coast, there are also B&B and a number of campsites. In these routes we assume camping accommodation.
The routes can be driven by motorcycle, car or quads and there are several rental companies in Crete where you can rent All Road, Custom, Quads, Buggies, scooters and cars.
Motorcycling in Crete is a real pleasure, this island has many beautiful winding roads with thousands of bends, idyllic villages, beautiful views of the sea, bays, beautiful passes and ravines.
The locals are very hospitable. The roads are decent, but it is advisable to rent an All or Off Road motorcycle, as there are also many bad roads with potholes and unpaved areas.
On the very tourist island there are many hotels, especially along the coast, there are also B&B and a number of campsites. In these routes we assume camping accommodation.
The routes can be driven by motorcycle, car or quads and there are several rental companies in Crete where you can rent All Road, Custom, Quads, Buggies, scooters and cars.
View Route Collection